This subseries contains manuscripts created by Stephen Foster's immediate family, including correspondence, original writings, and scrapbooks.

Section: Correspondence, 1800-1950

Scope and Content Notes:

This section includes correspondence written by Stephen Foster's immediate family, in their hands and typed transcripts of some of the original correspondence written by Stephen Foster that is contained in the Stephen Foster series. Of particular note is the correspondence by Marion Foster Welsh, Stephen Foster's daughter, discussing her memories of her father and the rift that sprung up between her and other family members after his death.

D331 From Henrietta Foster to William B. Foster, Jr., April 30, 1836 (typed transcript at C845)

C393 From Eliza Foster to Charlotte Foster, November 2, 1821

Encouraging Charlotte to be open in her letters and to save them; family returned from Greensburg; "your father has been drawing a few tunes on the violin for your little brother & sister to dance"; general info on neighbors, friends.

To Cincinnati; she had no idea where to contact her; when will you come visit us, compared to your goings on in Louisville we must seem quite dull; hearing so much gossip about Charlotte and Beauxs that she fears Charlotte is becoming a coquette.

To Louisville; brief admonishment from Ann Eliza for Charlotte not writing to her; Miss Aston listing what has been sent to Charlotte and what she will be taking to her, disappointment that they won't see her in Cincinnati.

From Cincinnati; description of Mr. Boson, the bearer of the letter; suggests that Stephen should be called Jefferson or Adams, local social goings on; inquiring about what happened btwn her and Henry Baldwin.

From Louisville; worried about Eliza's health; grateful for what a wonderful mother Eliza is; allusion to a friendship Wm & Eliza have blown out of proportion; she is healthy and gained weight; social gossip; description of house.

To Louisville; pleased Ann Eliza visited Federal Hill; best for Ann Eliza to come home and Charlotte to stay on with the Barclays--reasons will be explained when they return; will send Charlotte clothes; break in canal; social news.

From Louisville; received instructions but not sure is she will stay; Judge Rowan upset she has not visited Federal Hill again; social news; description of John Rowan; Ann Eliza is tired of company & unwell; A. Hill sent Ann Eliza an edition of Byron.

C446 From William B. Foster and Ann Eliza Foster to Charlotte Foster, September 2, 1829

To Louisville; chiding James Earnest for incorrectly telling her that he had lost his office; Canal news; wants her to wait to come home until the water is acceptable; description of election; social news; wishes for her good health.

From Louisville; delighted that he may visit; been attending Mr. Barclay's ill daughter who is now recovered; this has been a bad health year; will wait to leave until hearing from William; needs money; knows he wishes her to marry.

Sending Morrison Charlotte's letters, nothing of Stephen in them except mention that he had cholera after visiting Uncle Joshua [Tomlinson] in Augusta; wanted to burn her own letters because of what they show of who she was.

This is William, Jr.'s, wife; settled into wonderful new home, hope he will visit, have had a son, Henry Morrison and have friends being his sponsor (godparents?) since mother's (Eliza) decision was so long in coming.

Family news; description of travels; election news; three dollars enclosed for Eliza from Elizabeth. Included in envelope are photostats of a June 10, 1842 statement for a bridge estimate and a cover letter for that estimate dated Sept. 22, 1843.

Henrietta's recovery has been slowed b/c of sick baby; does not want Eliza to leave; when she returns home she will start thinking of her own needs as he advised her to do; Buchanan speaks highly of William, Jr.; family news.

Distraught to hear that ma is sick; willing to help however he can; Dunning is still ill; needs to borrow money from him; Henry owes him money and should make an effort to pay Morrison to make up Dunning's share of the family expenses; travel plans.

Very weak because of the weather; please send your acceptance for $200; not so sick that you need to come, shouldn't have stayed here this winter; note by Morrison that Dunning died soon after the letter w/ Henry, Morrison, & Stephen in attendance.

Remembered it's his birthday, contacted Thomas Struthers about "the matter we spoke of"; pray for Morrison & Stephy, the only two to remain willfully out of the church; I beg you to find God; family news.

Has not gotten the $100 due from Mr. McAnulty, needs William to send him $100; Ma with Henrietta and Stephen left two weeks ago for Augusta, Kentucky, where Eliza has brothers; family news; asking him to send endorsed blank note; got a raise.

C676 From Henry Foster and William B. Foster to William Foster, Jr., April 15, 1839

Dictating the letter for Pa; upset that they haven't heard from him; job is being held for him until they hear of his acceptance or refusal; copy of Thomas Struthers's letter; wants him to partner with John Homery in the lumber business.

Family news; we have concluded to let Stephen go with William who will put him to school at the academy in Towanda…I think it's an excellent chance for the dear little fellow to get an education; concerned about Morrison's health; telling him to study.

Family news; feel quite contented about Stephen; believe that William will take good care of him; he took him to see the Governor, the house of reps, and a fine concert in Harrisburg; encouraging him to work hard.

Travel plans; congressional improvements bill; we think it's time to receive another letter from Stephen, I hope he is attentive to his studies…tell him his old Uncle Struthers looks to him to become a very great man, he says he is confident he possess.

Thanking him for letter & $20; As to Stephen I leave everything re his future to your judgment West Point or the navy I have no choice; you are not only his brother but his father; family & social news; My fears in relation to [pa] have ended.

Need to make new living arrangements b/c of cost; wants to hear the current info on his engagement but has told no one; Stephen refuses to stay at Canonsburg & wants to come home; family news; wishing him well.

Enclosing a copy of the
NY Evening Post's Tribute to Foster. Reminiscing about how popular Foster was internationally. Requesting a memento of Foster. Includes postscript that
Harpers wants him to write an article on Foster.

Wants to create illustrated editions of "Old Folks at Home" and "My Old Kentucky Home" (Copeland editions). Morrison's response on back indicates they may proceed provided he makes arrangements with Pond and Ditson and that compensation go to his brother's heirs.

Pond has promised him a Foster manuscript to present to Judge Reed. Wants to know if Morrison has two copies of bio sketch he could give him. Morrison's response on bottom of letter indicates that he should send $4 to Percy Smith to obtain copies.

Included as enclosure for C869c correspondence from Monroe Crannell to Morrison Foster. Although Elliker states that the original of the 1852 letter is in the Foster collection, it apppears only this copy, made in Mr. Crannell's hand, is held by the Center for American Music. The whereabouts of the original document are not currently known.

Pittsburgh, May 25, 1852

E.P. Christy, Esq.

Dear Sir

As I once intimated to you, I had the intention of omitting my name on my Ethiopian songs, owing to the prejudice against them by some, which might injure my reputation as a writer of another style of music, but I find that by my efforts I have done a great deal to build up a taste for the Ethiopian songs among refined people by making the words suitable to their taste, instead of the trashy and really offensive words which belong to some of that order. Therefore I have concluded to reinstate my name on my songs and to pursue the Ethiopian business without fear or shame and lend all my energies to making the business live, at the same time that I will wish to establish my name as the best Ethiopian song-writer. But I am not encouraged in undertaking this so long as "The Old Folks At Home" stares me in the face with another's name on it. As it was at my own solicitation that you allowed your name to be placed on the song, I hope that the above reasons will be sufficient explanation for my desire to place my own name on it as author and composer, while at the same time I wish to leave the name of your band on the title page. This is a little matter of pride in myself which it will certainly be to your interest to encourage. On the receipt of your free consent to this proposition, I will, if you wish, willingly refund you the money which you paid me on that song, though it may have been sent me for other considerations than the one in question, and I promise in addition to write you an opening chorus in my best style, free of charge, and in any other way in my power to advance your interest hereafter. I find I cannot write at all unless I write for public approbation and get credit for what I write. As we may probably have a good deal of business with each other in our lives, it is best to proceed on a sure basis of confidence and good understanding, therefore I hope you will appreciate an author's feelings in the case and deal with me with your usual fairness. Please answer immediately.

Would like a sample of Foster's handwriting to put in a bound volume of his music that he's assembled for his private use. Note at bottom of letter (presumably to Morrison) asking if he can oblige this man's request.

Asking permission to use "My Old Kentucky Home" in an essay. Morrison's answer is on the bottom of the letter (dated Oct. 17, 1887) grants permission provided he contact William A. Pond to make arrangements and Marion and Jane receive payment.

Was found originally with a. In the letter Loesch tells Morrison that the gentleman he refers to is not worth anything financially and if Morrison is hoping to get money from him, he shouldn't depend on it being much.

Sending him a proof of an article on Stephen for his corrections. Morrison's response is included on back, in which he suggests it's inappropriate to mention Stephen's one failing and theorizes who may have written the article.

They will inter body provided guardian pays expenses. Morrison responds on back asking for what the cheapest internment would cost, says Henrietta has no guardian, and that he doesn't feel an autopsy is necessary.

C453 Description of Charlotte Foster's death & retrieval of her body by Charlotte Foster, February 11, 1865

Transcription of letter from Ann Eliza describing a letter from George Buchanan to his sister Harriet describing the impact of Charlotte's death and who she was w/ a note by Morrison regarding exhuming her.